Chess Puzzle #0NPs1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 400 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks g1/g2; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e4/h4. Black: king g8; rooks e6/e8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/f5/f7/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e4→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook g1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp1n1p2/2p1r1p1/5p2/3PP2P/8/PPPN2R1/2K3R1 w - - 0 24

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.